sarah jane photography small business feature

March 6, 2018March 6, 2018

| Executive Portraits | Richland Career Week | Decatur IL |

In January I was invited to speak at the Richland Community College 8th grade career fair on the art panel along with my fellow creatives and entrepreneurs Kat Smalley (Thrive Entertainment Guide), radio personalities Toby Tucker and Tat Taylor, Kate Flemming (Millikin University) and performer Jerry Johnson. This was a blast and I was excited to see a number of these 8th graders have a great interest in not only photography but many areas of arts and entrepreneurship.

Through that event I connect with John Oliver with Richland’s Student services office and they invited me in as part of their career week to offer executive portraits for some of their staff and students. As college students, either entering their college careers or about to graduate and searching for their full time career, many of them are starting to adjust their online profiles to reflect a more professional appearance and/or creating new professional social profiles through sites like LinkedIn. Clearly, when you set up your LinkedIn profile it’s time to phase out that selfie on the beach for something a little more formal and professional. But what students often may not think about or know is that a professional executive portrait session can easily run you a couple hundred dollars investment and much more for a full executive branding package*.

So I was excited to partner with Richland to bring the students these portraits for use on their growing web resumes absolutely FREE to them! And a few of their staff and visiting personalities (like Tat and Nicole) jumped in at the opportunity as well. And I’m excited to be offering a similar opportunity to the professionals in Decatur this coming Tuesday, March 13th from 3:30-5:30. We’ve partnered now with Network Solutions Unlimited to offer a public Executive Portrait event to once again create professional headshot images for the professionals in our area 100% FREE.

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Our NSU event will be held at NSU (1234 N Water St, Decatur, IL 62521) on Tuesday, March 13 from 3:30 -5:30 and will include FREE quick 2-3 minute sessions (black background) with immediate viewing of your images to select your favorite. PLUS, we’ll provide a fully retouched web-size file for use online (printing rights are available for as little as $50). And while you wait, you’ll be able to network with other area professionals and enjoy a few light refreshments.

To help us prepare please RSVP here. Walk-ins are welcome but may incur longer wait times.

Can’t make it to the event Tuesday, but still need updated portraits for you and/or your staff? We offer in-studio individual executive portrait sessions for only $45 plus the ability to bring out studio to YOU for in-house portraits your staff can complete in just a few minutes. Bulk pricing is available for larger offices/schools/etc.

February 22, 2018February 21, 2018

| Dynagraphics INC | Wood Printing | Small Businesses Decatur IL |

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The Details: Scott Bowers, Vice President of Sales or Dynagraphics, INC / Wood Printing | In Business: Since 1980

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00| Location: 3220 N Woodford St. Decatur IL | Phone: 876.9950 | Website: www.dynagraphics.com

Tell us about your business… What do you do?

In 1980, my parents, Richard “Barry” and Melanie Bowers, purchased Promo Graphics, a screen printing company that produced retail sign kits for 65 Eisner Foods (Jewel) stores. My brother David and I worked with our parents from the start. As teenagers, David operated screen printing and offset presses and I worked in the bindery department. In 1988 the company purchased state-of-the-art quick printing equipment that allowed faster turnaround and lower cost, and the Fast Impressions division was born. We’ve since added equipment for short-run full-color posters, displays, vehicle wraps, full-color signage, outdoor graphics, and a Zund G3 cutter for shape cutting everything from paper to aluminum. Then in recent years we acquired local printer, Wood Printing, expanding our print capability greatly and enabling us to provide all of your printing and graphics needs in one place.

What makes your business unique/special?

We’re known for doing work on a very short deadline. And, our customer service is second to none – when there’s a problem we do everything to make it right.

What item/service on your menu or in your shop do you just LOVE and think everyone needs?

I really like our architectural graphics and custom wallpaper.

I was lucky enough to be at Dynagraphics for their feature on a day they were printing Thrive Entertainment Guide. It was super cool to see how crazy fast this press runs (and fun to crank my shutter speed super high to try to catch a glimpse of what was nearly impossible to see with the naked eye). Plus, it just so happened to be the issue that had our full page senior ad on the back … there was a huge PILE of sjp seniors, pretty awesome to see in person!

In what way have you gone above/beyond in the past for a customer?

We did a job for Huston-Patterson, and in order to make a deadline we chartered a plane to Pennsylvania.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you?

We’ve had many clients make introductions to friends and colleagues. When we remodeled we received flower arrangements. And we have so much support whenever we have an open house, such as Refreshment Services Pepsi providing a fountain.

What tool/equipment/or other vendor could you not imagine doing business without?

We love Midland Paper; their service is great.

What other local business do you just LOVE? Why?

Perry Products – their offering is quite unique. They do Perry suspenders; they’re inventors.

When did you know you wanted to go into this business?

I worked for my folks, I didn’t really have a choice (laughs). I’ve worked here all but four years.

What are you passionate about outside of your business?

My children, my relationship with God and my church family.

Describe your PERFECT day:

Nice weather, a Saturday to be able to sleep in. Maybe be able to do something outside, with the people I love close by.

Introduce us to your STAFF…

See the latest news at:

http://www.dynagraphics.com/

See our other past small business features to connect with more businesses in our area:

See more on our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @sjanephotog, Instagram @sjanephotograhy, and Snapchat @sjanephotog

If you’d like to have YOUR small business featured for FREE on the SJP blog (or know a small business we should feature) you can find details HERE! These features are 100% free and we’d love to feature you next.

December 14, 2017

| Jasmyn | Mt. Zion Senior Model 2018 |

It’s Jasmyn’s day in the spotlight on the blog today! I have had so much fun creating her images over the past year. We did a little bit of everything for Jasmyn’s sessions… a few downtown Decatur, some in-studio of course and then we ventured to Fort Daniel, Allerton and a friend’s farm to create a variety of nature looks complete with TWO sunsets (the first a bit cloudy).

Take a look at everything we created for Jasmyn! I can’t wait to have her album finished soon with all these images.
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Name	Jasmyn Brooksher
Type of Session	Senior
Tell us about your experience about SJP. What did you like best? *	I like the model experience she has available for High School Seniors. Sarah is Amazing and I love all that I have done with her so far. I can’t wait for my Senior session!
What would you tell a friend who was considering coming to SJP for their portraits? *	You will love her and the variety of options she has available.
What made you choose SJP for your portraits?	My cousin chose her for her Senior pictures and they turned out great. Sarah has High School Senior Models and I was also interested in becoming one and so happy that I became one for her!!
What could we have done differently to improve your portrait experience? *	Nothing
Please rate your Session Experience *	Perfectly Happy
Please rate the Product Selection & Quality *	Perfect
Please rate the Product Value *	Great Deal

October 26, 2017April 28, 2018

Elm Street Grill | Small Business Feature

The Details: Terry Kaufman, Owner of Elm Street Grill | In Business: 4 Years

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11:00am-1:00am | Location: 113 E. Elm St. Argenta, IL | Phone: 217.795.2295 | Email: elmstreetargenta@gmail.com

Tell us about your business…

For a great lunch with family, friends and co-workers, or a night out, stop by the Elm Street Grill for delicious appetizers, sandwiches, salads and daily/weekly specials. We are conveniently located off of Route 48. Great food made with fresh, quality ingredients at reasonable prices, friendly service, and a fun yet relaxed atmosphere are what we are all about. Perfect for a quiet lunch or dinner, meeting with friends, or having a celebration. Set in a historical 1887 structure, so you can enjoy the ambiance of high tin ceilings, beautiful hardwood floors, and the original 1887 facade. We have tables and booths, or feel free to sit outside on the patio or at the bar. We offer weekly specials, and carryout is available.

What did you do?

I bought a bar to turn into a restaurant. I wanted to provide the service in the town I grew up in.

What makes your business unique/special?

We brought a restaurant and bar back to Argenta, when there hadn’t been one for a while. And we’ve even started doing delivery following the limits from the dimensional weight calculator, now that we offer pizza.

What item on your menu do you just LOVE and think everyone needs?

I’m a fan of the buffalo chicken wrap. We started doing fresh pizza – we do the dough, the sauce ourselves, and use all fresh ingredients. Our meat combo and our buffalo pizza are really popular.

In what way have you gone above/beyond in the past for a customer?

We use the term “guest,” because we like everyone to feel welcome, to give them a warm feeling when they come in. We’ve done a couple benefits for the son of a friend who’s going through some tough times. We almost raised $18,000 to send this kid to Panama to get stem cell treatment. Those benefits, it’s nice to see the community come together. That’s as rewarding if not more rewarding to see the looks on their faces and know you’ve touched them.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you?

The attendance when we have events, to see the people support, just because it’s you. The simple fact of getting a compliment and knowing they mean it.

What tool/equipment/or other vendor could you not imagine doing business without?

I’ve got some really good people working for me. I’ve got some people overworked because it’s so hard to find good people. My girlfriend, Heather Staffer, manages the bar for me when she can. My staff is my best tool.

What other local business do you just LOVE? Why?

My local food suppliers – that’s what makes it happen. MJ Kellner Food Service is a family-owned food distribution company. Hoelting Produce, they’re people who make it very easy to go to work every day. Skeff Distributing and Budweiser are another big part of the operation.

I love that some of our other favorite small businesses like Skeff are working together to make the whole small business community amazing around here! Check out our feature of Skeff Distributing HERE.

Tell us about YOU

I was working as a server at Texas Roadhouse working for Dave Hess and taking some classes. I loved it. I was approached by him to do management. I worked there 10 years, then for my good friend Todd Mason at The Beach House for four years. Then I ran Lincoln Lounge for about a year. I bought the bar after that.

WHY did you choose to do what you do?

Food is so vital; it’s connects to a lot of people. From the single mom or dad to the older widowed grandmother or the older man who can’t cook. It’s cool to provide a service for the village I grew up in – not only are they customers but I know them. That’s where it’s rewarding for me.

When did you know you wanted to go into this business?

From the time I started working at Roadhouse – I liked doing the service side right from the start.

What are you passionate about outside of your business?

I’m passionate about being a good father, boyfriend and son. My parents live on a good amount of land. My son is a freshman in college and I need to be around to lend a hand and knowledge to him. And if we can sneak away to a ballgame or to get to a Challenger level in our video game, all the better.

Describe your PERFECT day…

I’d wake up, have some breakfast, jump in the car and go to Jamaica or somewhere like that.

See the latest news at:

https://www.facebook.com/Elm-Street-Grill-702373443110552/

See our other past small business features to connect with more businesses in our area:

See more on our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @sjanephotog, Instagram @sjanephotograhy, and Snapchat @sjanephotog

August 24, 2017August 24, 2017

| Payton | Argenta-Oreana High School Senior Model | Class of 2018 | Decatur, IL |

The first of our class of 2018 senior model s to make their debut on the blog is our very own Ms. Payton!

2017-08-17_0003 You may remember her first moment in the SJP spotlight way back for her sophomore year prom when she won the Neuhoff media prom package which included a prom-day shoot with her date Austin (and we included him in a few of her senior portraits too)!

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From there it wasn’t long before Payton was working as my assistant and modeling for me on a few projects including our parachute dress class in downtown Indianapolis with the Reset Conference. She’s even charmed our own little #BabyB and got to be her swim lesson teacher at fairview pool this summer!

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So basically Payton has become a pretty awesome part of the SJP family (at home and work!) so it seemed fitting she be the first one up on the blog to kick off the class of 2018’s senior year.

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Do you guys remember the ‘trash can image’ ?!? Austin joked when we got out of the car at the park that we had a great location right by the dumpster soooo I accepted that as a challenge to create something fun by it and this was the result:

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Things have been BUSY around here all summer and I have SO many awesome things to show you from all our seniors… so let’s not wait! Check out all of Payton’s favorite images right here right now.

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